Housework: Men versus Women, How Does It Play Out?

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September 5, 12:44 AM

by Andrea Campbell, Home and Living Examiner

 

 

Years ago there was a popular television show about an “odd couple” living together, Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. They were diametric opposites in all things—Oscar was sports obsessed, sloppy, and loved greasy hamburgers and fried foods; Felix was foppish, meticulous in dress, and a gourmet cook. Guess who did all the cleaning and housework? Why, Felix of course. Because he cared.

For centuries, homemaking and care has always fallen to the “fairer sex”—and that typically, has been the female—a stereotypical, heterosexual relationship standard that has continued to foster and perpetrate the feminine hand at home. As a boomer growing up in the 50s, it was traditional for me (and all the other little girls of the time) to be nurturing dolls, and playing at keeping house. In the past two decades however, some of that has changed with “stay at home” dads, same sex relationships and parenting; and the expansion of children’s roles to experience both the “ying” and “yang” of lifestyle.

So where does that leave us today?

I did some preliminary investigation for this article from a variety of sources: from Science Daily, to Women’s Health, to a popular man’s blog (see links below) and this is what I found out:

How Much Does a Body Produce?
According to a University of Michigan study, a husband added into your home life creates an extra seven hours of housework a week. From a man’s viewpoint, however, having a wife saves men about an hour of housework a week. Gee, I gotta get me a wife.

Amount of Work, Past and Present
We women are doing less of it. In 1976, women did an average 26 hours of housework a week. When compared to 2005 however, the numbers drop to 17 hours. And get this, ladies: men did just six hours of housework a week in 1976, and in 2005, they weighed in with thirteen hours! And when researchers looked at the last ten years specifically, they found that both the men and women who got married, did more housework than those who stayed single.

Single or Married, Who Fares Best?
17,000 people in 28 countries provided some answers and come to find out, married men report doing less housework than men who are live-in boyfriends. Huh? Shannon Davis, the author of the research says that, "Marriage as an institution seems to have a traditionalizing effect on couples—even couples who see men and women as equal." Couples with an egalitarian view on gender—seeing men and women as equal—are more likely to divide the household chores equally. However, in married relationships, even if an egalitarian viewpoint is present, men still report doing less housework than their wives, said Davis.

Are There Fun Chores?
A Women’s Health article points out that a Brooking's study says that women spend 90 minutes more per week doing "un-fun" chores. They claim that guys prefer to do car-cleaning versus refrigerator sanitizing. And some of the women who commented on the site: did say that their husbands did the “manly” chores, or, the outside or heavy-duty work like shoveling, garage and basement cleaning.

In Cole Gamble’s blog, Strollerderby, he rolls out the theory that the kind of house you grew up in determines your perception. He says that he didn’t realize there was “men’s work” and “women’s work” until he met his in-laws.

Tolerance Levels
Gamble also wants to submit that men have a different 'tolerance level for disarray.' But according to a likeability factor in that Brooking's piece mentioned earlier, negative feelings when doing chores run about even. For example, they site: Percentage of time we feel negative emotions when... we’re doing the dishes: Females = 31% and Males = 23%. Women’s may be higher if they’ve cooked the meal too (my input).

What To Do?

• Try to convince ourselves it’s good for us. The British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals a study that says: Just 20 minutes of any physical activity, including housework, in a week is enough to boost mental health.

• Take away the judgment meter: the-“women don’t like how men do it” gauge. Just do what you are good at, okay?

• Respect each other’s time, needs and preference of job.
One poor on-the-road female talked about being a road warrior during the week and the “weekend maid” at the other end. But then later she claims to have ‘married and raised a bunch of entitled lazy jerks.” Lady, get with the program and start delegating—now!

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University of Michigan (2008, April 8). Exactly How Much Housework
Does A Husband Create? ScienceDaily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403191009.htm

 George Mason University (2007, August 28). Married Men Really Do Do
Less Housework Than Live-in Boyfriends. ScienceDaily.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070827174300.htm

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2008/04/15/
5-Reasons-Wives-Do-More-Housework.aspx

Women’s Health,
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/new-study-are-women-still-
doing-all-the-chores

BMJ-British Medical Journal (2008, April 10). Just 20 Minutes Of Weekly
Housework Boosts Mental Health. ScienceDaily.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409205840.htm

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